What is it to Pray?

Prayer is a complex, multi-layered activity. The Jewish sages referred to prayer in Hebrew as avodah, service, to describe the service of sacrifice in the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem. However, since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D., prayer became the Jewish people’s primary means of “connecting” with God.

Avodah also means work, or giving something of ourselves to God...however you define God for yourself. But what benefit could God derive from our prayers? How do our prayers serve the Divine? The Hebrew word l'hitpallel means to pray. The root word, pallel, actually means to judge, clarifies, differentiate or decide. In one tense of the word, the subject acts upon him/herself. Therefore, prayer is about self-definition and establishing some level of inner clarity. During prayer, one may be able to clarify his/her relationship with God and with the world, thus opening a clearer channel of communication with the Divine.

Opening up the "Channels" is the purpose of transformation or change within oneself. The more you change or transform and become true to yourself, the more connected to the divine and the world you become. Your relationships with your family, friends and people in your life become stronger, more fulfilling and you are able to give and receive more love.

Whether you choose to be in a synagogue with your community this Yom Kippur and/or choose to give yourself a quiet moment in a tranquil place of your own, or engage in both practices, talk to God. If you can, ask for forgiveness, forgive others and open up your heart. Allow the messages through prayer to touch your soul.

I have found many ways to pray throughout the last year that have been introspective, joyful and insightful for me. I have experienced prayer through chanting, free movement, breath work and various types of meditations. I have also found that prayer with others creates more positive energy, and, quite possibly, it helps “shift” the universe in some way. I would like to believe that it does.

In the most challenging times in my life, when I honestly felt that I couldn't’ overcome my fears and shadows, I spoke to God in my own way and said “Heneni”, which in Hebrew means “here I am”. Allowing myself to engage in this communication has transformed me in ways I cannot completely explain, only to say that it has "opened up my channels" even more.

I urge you, in the upcoming year, to experience different avenues of thought and prayer. You may feel comfortable with certain experiences of self reflection and prayer, and some, you may not. You have your own path to explore...and you have the choice to explore it. I wish you the courage to face your challenges, and the radiance of light that it may bring you.